Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Fairy Tail. It is the property of Hiro Mashima. I do not the plot of this story, it is owned by Square Enix. This is not for any financial gain but for pure entertainment purposes and inspired by the creative minds of talented people.
This is my first fanfiction, please enjoy and give constructive criticism. Thank you!
Ch. 1: "I am END"
My name is Lucy Heartfillia. Daughter of Layla and Jude Heartfillia. Descendant of the great celestial wizard, Anna Heartfillia.
And this is my story.
It all started when I ran away from home at age sixteen, to join the best guild around, Fairy Tail. Before all of that, I had no real experience with using magic other than for pure enjoyment and to just keep me company.
All of that changed when I entered this guild hall. I've met so many new people, went through so many life-threatening and life-changing situations, and not to mention, also increased my level as a mage overall.
To think I would've missed opportunities like the Grand Magic Games or the S-Class Trials, if I never joined Fairy Tail is unimaginable by now.
I would've never learned to summon three spirits at once, or learned how to handle myself when facing a future version of me. Or that my mother was involved in a secret plot that involved the dragons, the five dragonslayers, and the Black Wizard, Zeref.
I've come so far from just an average rich girl who is inexperienced in life and magic, to a proud member of an amazing guild—no—family.
They are everything to me, and I won't lose them, even if I have to sacrifice something greater than life itself. I won't allow that to happen.
Not here.
Not now.
Third Person Point of View...
It's been nearly an hour since Happy brought an unconscious Natsu through the window during Lucy's reconciliation with Brandish.
Natsu was mortally wounded due to his battle with Zeref. He managed to lay a few good hits on the Black Wizard with the gift of Igneel's final powers, but then Zeref had let the cat out the bag.
The truth was revealed.
Lucy still couldn't help but let my tears flow upon hearing the truth. She was more sad than she was mad.
"Etherious Natsu Dragneel...E.N.D. No...tell me that it's isn't true. Please. Tell me."
She kneeled over Natsu's burning body lying on the bed.
Happy grudgingly nods, "Aye. It's true. But there's more to that. Zeref's last name is 'Dragneel' Lucy. He's Natsu's older brother! He hurt him with the Book of END! I saw it with my own eyes!"
Lucy put a hand to her mouth as if to prevent herself from screaming. But honestly, she have absolutely nothing to say.
This was too much for her mind to handle.
Brandish left with Porlyusica to retrieve medicine and special treatment for Natsu's serious condition. Lucy didn't need to think twice when she saw the look on Porlyusica's face the moment Happy carried Natsu inside.
There's a high chance he won't make it.
Lucy refuses to believe that and squeezes Natsu's right hand. It was like squeezing a burning teakettle.
"You're going to make it. We're going to rid Magnolia of the Spriggans and Zeref. Then we'll go out on jobs again and destroy whole towns...just like the old days."
Happy hops down from the bed's headboard and onto the mattress right next to Natsu.
"He's going to be ok. I think." He really didn't know what to say to make this situation sound better.
Lucy offers him a kind smile, "Well, things could've gone a lot worse."
Happy sighs, "Aye...things could've...if I hadn't pulled him away from the battle."
Lucy looked confused and narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Right after Zeref told us about the whole END and 'brothers stuff' and other 'time travel stuff' that I don't remember. Well, Natsu was going to finish him off but...I stopped him." Happy said.
"But why? Is it because Zeref's immortal and can't be killed that easily?" Lucy questioned.
The blue cat shook his head, his little body trembling, "No, because if Natsu kills him...then...then...Natsu will die as well!"
Happy began breaking down into sobs and Lucy released her hand from Natsu's, her body shaking. Happy talked to her between sobs.
"Don't you see? All of the demons are connected to their creator, Zeref. If he dies, then that means Natsu will go down with him! I couldn't have let that happen!"
Happy turns his back away from Natsu and Lucy.
Lucy stood up slowly and looked down at the ground, holding the wall for support.
"Then that means, there's no way of actually defeating him...what, what in the world is happening? This has got to be some kind of trick! You can't just make me believe that Natsu is supposed to be the most powerful demon created by Zeref! Or that the two of them are brothers! Or that if Zeref dies, then that means Natsu will also...will also..." Lucy's voice grew weaker and weaker.
Porlyusica rushed back inside carrying handfuls of herbs with Brandish behind her carrying buckets of water and other liquid-like substances.
Porlyusica came over to Lucy and helped her sit down into a nearby chair.
"I'm sorry child. But that's the way things are sometimes. And before you ask, yes—I heard everything from outside. There's no easy way to say this, but I think it's best if the rest of your guild also knows about Natsu. There'll never be a good time to tell them, but it'll be a whole lot better if Natsu was the one who told them and not one of your enemies." The old woman soothed.
Lucy looks over to Brandish who is setting down one bucket of water on the ground, while scooping a bowlful of another bucket and walking over to Natsu.
Lucy points to Brandish.
"You."
Brandish sets the bowl down in confusion.
"Me?"
Lucy nods fiercely, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You knew about this didn't you? You were a part of Zeref's Spriggan 12 right?"
Brandish began to grow fearful from this sudden accusation.
"N—no! It's not like that I knew! But I didn't don't know either! I knew about the relationship with Zeref and his demons, but never his relationship with the fire dragonslayer. I swear! Please, I just want to do my part now!" The girl genuinely begged.
Lucy's eyes grew wide as she realized that she was just pointing fingers here. She immediately recoils and softens a bit.
"I'm sorry. It's just—"
Brandish interrupts her, "I know. I'd feel the same way if my boyfriend was in the same situation."
Lucy jumps up at this comment.
"HOLD ON A MINUTE! HE'S NOT MY—I'M NOT HIS—WHERE DID YOU GET THAT IDEA ANYWAY!?"
Brandish and Porlyusica laugh as Lucy forces her face colour to cease and heartbeat to slow down. Happy also stopped crying and flew over to them.
"You guys know she's lying because they're like totally gonna be together at the end of this whole thing!"
Lucy exclaims in panic, "That's not true! Well it's not for me! So even if he did feel something, the feeling's not mutual! And I doubt that he feels anything!"
Brandish laughs lightly, "Well, why don't we ask him once he wakes up?"
"Ask me what?" A low gruff voice suddenly said.
Natsu was struggling to sit up on the bed, still looking exhausted and a bit pale, but he was awake. Lucy's body shook from that sight.
"Natsu..."
She suddenly jumped up in front of him with Happy right by her side, nearly knocking him out cold again.
"YOU'RE AWAKE! YOU'RE ALIVE!" She cried.
"AYE! I'M THE HAPPIEST TALKING CAT IN THE WHOLE WOLRD!" Happy said simultaneously.
Natsu yells back at the both them, "WELL OF COURSE I'M ALIVE! IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST A ZAP TO KILL ME! AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE THE HAPPIEST TALKING CAT IN THE WORLD? YOU'RE NAME'S HAPPY FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! AND YOU'RE A TALKING CAT!"
Porlyusica sighs and shakes her head at the sight of the two young people getting together.
"And she just said she didn't harbour any feelings towards him."
Brandish looked a bit sad however. A bit sad and guilty.
"What Lucy said was true though. I do know a lot about Zeref and his relationship with the fire dragonslayer. I just found it hard to believe that Emperor Spriggan actually feels...something towards a living being, so I thought what I knew were just lies."
Porlyusica puts a hand on her shoulder, "Well, now that you know those aren't lies, you should tell him what you know. He deserves to properly know about his relationship with Zeref and END."
Upon hearing those words "Zeref" and "END," Natsu sits up straight and pushes Lucy and Happy out of the way to focus on Brandish and Porlyusica.
"What? What about them? Do you guys know?" Natsu asked.
A serious expression on his face. Brandish nods slowly.
"Yes. I do know. I'm sorry for everything I've done to you guys back then, but I really do want to make up for all of that."
Natsu gives her his signature grin, "Well then, you could start by telling us what you know about our enemy."
Brandish looks up, her eyes filled with tears of joy that she would be given a second chance so easily. Lucy smiles at her, glad that her new friend is willing to start over.
Brandish walks over to the bed and pulls out a chair so that she could sit down in front of them.
"Ok, so here's what I know..."
Several Hours Later
Brandish is exhausted and shaky from all the talking, explaining and apologizing for the past few hours or more. Everyone who had been listening to her is in some kind of an unbreakable trance, trying to absorb all the information she's been dumping out.
The former Spriggan 12 mage sighed, "So you see? There's really no way to defeat the Emperor...well to defeat him in way that causes the least amount of suffering..."
Natsu suddenly perched up.
"That's not true...I won't die..."
Brandish and Lucy looked up at him, their mouths agape. Natsu puts on a serious expression.
"Even if Zeref is killed I won't die! I'm not END!"
Brandish cried out for him to calm down, "Natsu, I don't think you understand! You are END! You were affected when the Book of END was struck! What do you have to prov—"
Natsu stands, silencing her, "That strike from the book is nothing more than just a flesh wound that'll heal. Any other demon of Zeref would've easily fallen to that! I didn't! Know why?"
Natsu jumped over the women and stood up straight, facing the away from their direction. He was gazing out the window into the endless night sky. His eyes were calm and solemn.
"Because I've got the blood of a dragon running through me... Because I am the son of Igneel, who tried to vanquish END, but couldn't because he saw him in me. END is just a surface image of me, but who I am...I am not that. So no. I won't die if I kill Zeref!"
Lucy's eyes widened again, this time along with everyone else's. They all began to slowly see and understand what Natsu is talking about.
Lucy immediately runs up behind Natsu. Throwing her arms around him, she buried her face into his back. He continued to look up at the sky. This feeling...is so familiar...
Lucy whispered into Natsu's back, "I've always thought you were stupid. And now...my thoughts are confirmed. Natsu Dragneel. You are the stupidest guy I've ever met. But don't you change, because if you do...you won't be the 'son of Igneel' anymore..."
Natsu grins and looks behind him to see the peaceful face of the blonde haired celestial spirit mage.
He turns around to face Lucy and gives her a reassuring look.
"Well I'm glad you're always on my team Lucy. And you too Happy. There's ain't no stopping us now! We'll go all the way to the Empire to defeat him if we have to!"
Happy flies over to Natsu's side and salutes him in greeting.
"Aye sir! We're the unbreakable team!"
With that, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy all rushed out through the front door of Porlyusica's house and ran towards the guild hall.
Natsu turns around one last time to yell a question to Brandish.
"Hey! Brandish!"
Brandish yells back, "Yes?!"
The fire dragonslayer slowed down his pace.
"What was the plan that the dragons made? The one that had to do with eclipse again?"
Brandish shouted as loud as she could, "To take five dragonslayers to the future in order to defeat a weakened Acnologia! That was their ultimate goal!"
Natsu grabbed Lucy by the hand to help her run faster. Happy soared above them, scouting ahead of any incoming obstacles.
Natsu grins again and yelled back his last answer.
"Then we'll finish what they planned for us to do!"
Outside the Fairy Tail Guild Hall...
Wendy was healing an injured Gray from his wounds during the day's battle while Erza sits nearby, making sure there will be no more threats tonight.
Juvia was lying on a mat next to Wendy, also injured, but refused to leave Gray's side. Gajeel suddenly runs towards them from the guild hall.
Erza turns around to him, "Any sign of them?"
Gajeel shakes his head, "No. Wonder what the salamander and bunnygirl got themselves into this time? It's been way too long."
Erza sighed and gets up from her seat. Wendy finished healing Gray and called after Erza.
"Hey, where are you going? It's going to be night soon."
Erza looked at Wendy, "I'm going to tell Master I'm going out to look for Natsu and Lucy."
Gajeel shook his head, "Nah, that's a bad idea. Besides that 'pyro' is stronger than he looks, and that's the only compliment I'm ever going to give him."
"Say what!? Well thanks a lot you metal loser!" A loud voice suddenly said.
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy appeared behind them. Wendy breathed a sigh of relief and Gray struggled to sit up straight. Erza smiled and relaxed.
"Well that's a relief you guys are alright. Where have you been all this time?"
Happy rushed forward, wanting to be the one to tell everyone what they've just found out about Zeref, the dragons, eclipse, and Acnologia.
Happy begins speaking a mile a minute, "We were at Porlyusica's place resolving things with Brandish, who isn't really bad at all. Natsu got hurt during the fight with Zeref so I brought him to Porlyusica's place, but he's all better now, and Zeref told him a lot of stuff about dragons, and dragonslayers, and ecli—."
Lucy stuffs a fish inside Happy's mouth, "Thank you but I think I'll take over from here."
Happy mumbles an "aye."
Lucy turned to Erza, Wendy, Gajeel, and Gray. They all sat down and gave her their utmost attention. Erza nodded for her to begin. Opening her mouth to speak, Lucy was stopped by Natsu, who quickly jutted a hand out in front of her before she could begin.
"Wait Lucy, when it comes to that part. I want to be the one to say it, alright?"
He barely whispered the sentence, but she understood what he meant and nods in agreement.
"Alright."
Turning to her friends, Lucy is no longer smiling. The entire area around them seemed to have gotten a whole lot darker.
"So guys, ever since we've started this war with the Alvarez Empire, we've been blindly fighting. We have no knowledge on what our enemies want, or worse. Do we know any of our enemies at all?!
All we know is 'we have to defeat them in the end!' Defeat whom? And how? Well, let me tell you the whole story from the beginning."
Taking a deep breath, Lucy begins, "400 years ago, after the dragons civil war, the dragons who still supported the humans, devised a plan was to train five dragonslayers and send them to the future to defeat Acnologia.
Using one of Zeref's creations, the eclipse gate. The celestial wizard, Anna Heartfillia, my ancestor, opened it, allowing the plan to be put in action. My mother was the one who opened the gate in this time period for the dragonslayers to enter.
However, she was missing one of the 12 Zodiac keys, Aquarius's key. It was with one of her servants, Grammi, whom she couldn't contact with. So, my mother used her own magic power instead, and suffered from magic deficiency disease.
Grammi visited my mother one last time and returned Aquarius's key to her...before being murdered by a vengeful Zoldeo, who blamed my mother's death on her."
Lucy stiffled her tears at these memories, "Aquarius showed me and Brandish this through the memory of the stars."
She looked over to Natsu, and nodded for him to say his part.
"During my fight with Zeref, he told me...lots of...interesting things. Things like how he met Igneel, and gave me to him to be trained into a dragonslayer. Zeref hoped that I would become strong enough to defeat him one day.
But that's just the basic stuff, now what I'm about to say is something...that's not to be joked about. Promise me you guys won't freak out?" He begged.
Erza narrowed her eyes at him, "This better not be a crude joke..."
Natsu flails his arms wildly, "It's not! It's not! It's actually something really important and serious!"
Lucy and Happy nodded, assuring them that this is serious.
Gray sighed, "Alright, get to the point already."
Natsu stood up and walked a few feet away from them, just in case they were going to overreact.
"So here's the thing, in the middle of the battle between me and Zeref, he told me his last name...'Dragneel.' Zeref Dragneel. He is my older brother..."
Memories of that event still haunted Natsu.
By now, almost everyone except for Lucy and Happy, were in a complete state of shock. Natsu would usually smirk gleefully at their reactions, but not this time. This time, he's being serious. Dead serious.
He continued to talk, "There's more to this. Back 400 years ago, my parents and I were killed by dragon embers...that's right, I died...then I was resurrected by Zeref...But there's still more to this. I wasn't just resurrected,
I was recreated as well...as E.N.D..."
Gray's eyes went from as large as a frying pan to as narrow as two slits. He stared intently at Natsu, who trembled in fear from what Gray could be thinking of. Erza looked like as if she completely became frozen in time.
Her body was as still as a statue, and her facial expression was not changing. The only thing moving was the rising and falling of chest, confirming that she's still breathing.
Wendy covered her mouth with both of her hands, stiffling a loud gasp. Her eyes said everything about her thoughts. The young girl was scared.
Gajeel almost fell back on the rock that he was sitting on. He scrunched up his brows while looking at the fire dragonslayer. Opening his mouth to say something, he quickly changed his mind and decided to stay silent.
Which was the choice for the majority of the people hear. Nobody dared to say anything. Natsu felt sweat dripping down the back of his neck as he finishes what he needs to say.
"Etherious...Natsu...Dragneel...guys. I am the strongest demon Zeref created. I am END."
While reading over this story again, I've discovered lots of corrections that needed to be made. So I quickly brought out my keyboard and started editing all my errors.
Please inform me if you see anything else that needs correcting. (I'm a horrible proofreader unfortunately...)
I hope this revision of chapter 1 is an improvement! Please enjoy!